Motorsport: Ready to rumble

UP FOR GRABS: Kerry Madsen (centre) will defend his Australian title against 79 other drivers, including Mount Gambier’s Steven Lines (left) and Glen Sutherland over three nights of racing, starting tonight at the Borderline Speedway. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

THE Australian Open Sprintcar Championships are finally here, with action set to kick off tonight at the Borderline Speedway.

It is the biggest event on the club’s calendar for many years, with the cream of the sport set to descend on the clay oval.

The field has reached 80 cars strong, with defending champion Kerry Madsen one of the favourites to claim a three-peat of titles.

Madsen has been in top form this season, but has faced plenty of opposition, including from the top Limestone Coast cars and drivers.

That was evident last week at the Kings Challenge, where Steven Lines took up the challenge and held off all comers to claim the honours in a flag-to-flag win.

Lines’ form has been up and down this year, not helped by a change of team ownership, but the last couple of weeks has seen him return to his best, also showing plenty of pace at the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic on the weekend at Warrnambool.

He will certainly be at the pointy end of the field if all goes to plan and a home-grown victory would be sweet.

Another fan favourite in the form of Glen Sutherland also threatens to derail Madsen’s chances.

While Sutherland’s season has also been up and down, his pace is never in doubt.

This season sees him as a contracted World Series Sprintcar driver and he has certainly shown the pace to run at the pointy end of the field.

The Classic saw him running towards the front for the first two nights, with a roll over cutting his third night short.

However, with a good starting position he can run at the pointy end of the pack and the title is not out of his reach.

It would be a fairy tale for the Scott Motorsports team if new driver Brooke Tatnell could claim the honours.

Tatnell joined the team for just a few short weeks this season and is already showing plenty of pace.

A win on Friday night at the Classic, followed by a podium position in Sunday’s main race showed it is all coming together very quickly.

His pedigree is beyond doubt, with five Australian titles to his name, along with nine WSS championships.

Apart from that there are several other drivers from, or with links to the Limestone Coast.

Jake Tranter has been on the pace this season, contesting plenty of races and always turning it on for the crowds.

Youngster Jack Gartner hails from Penola and will be flying the flag for the town, while Scott Enderl is yet another second-generation racer from Mount Gambier looking to make his mark on the sport.

Rory Button, Damian Thorne and Chad Ely – in the Starks car out of Port MacDonnell – will complete the local contingent, but will have a huge job ahead to greet the chequered flag first.

While many eyes will be on Madsen, the remainder of the field shows the true talent that will be on display for the next three days.

The likes of Jamie Veal, Robbie Farr, James McFadden, David Murcott and Luke Dillon are just the tip of the iceberg.

McFadden is somewhat of a crowd favourite at the Borderline Speedway, with his connections to the region – married to a local girl – ensure he receives plenty of support.

But that support is also warranted, with his performances this year showing he is on the pace.

But among the field is also the odd “dark horse”, such as Corey McCullagh.

McCullagh is coming off a stunning victory at the Classic on the weekend, where he chased down Tatnell in the lead, then simply drove around him and kept the field at bay right to the chequered flag.

The Warrnambool boy was rightly pleased with the result, as was the parochial crowd, which should bring him to Mount Gambier riding the crest of a wave, knowing he can beat the best in the business.

Even Madsen was unable to make a dent in the young gun’s lead.

However it pans out, the Limestone Coast is sure to be a big winner, with the eyes of the nation – and further abroad – clearly set on the region over the three days of racing.

A full program will be available at the gate, but tonight kicks off with time trials, two rounds of qualifying heats, a preliminary B Main race over 20 laps and a preliminary A Main race over 25 laps.

Tomorrow will see a similar format, with the final round of qualifying heats set down for Saturday, followed by all the Main events, starting from the E Main, through to the championship final.

The four fastest cars in each Main will transfer through to the next, with the chance to eventually make the A Main, which will contest of the 16 fastest cars plus four from the B Main, to be run over 40 laps.

Gates open at 2pm for pre-bought tickets, with general access from 2.30pm.

Engine starts and hot laps will start from 5pm, with racing set to start at 6pm.